Forest Preschool is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.
Through positive outdoor experiences, children are encouraged and inspired to participate in engaging, motivating, and achievable tasks in a woodland environment, where each child has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, and keen emotional and social skills.
At forest preschool the children visit the same woodland on a regular basis and are given the freedom to play, opportunity to explore and learn about the natural environment, and support while learning how to handle risks, solve problems, and cooperate with their peers. Preschool runs all year, where children learn and play in the woods in all weathers: sun, rain, snow, warm and cold, (barring high winds or other extreme weather). As the forest is ever changing, each day brings new and different exploration opportunities. Children play, learn boundaries – both physical and social - grow in confidence, and become self-starters. Children in this environment learn that there are different ways of solving problems and they develop their critical thinking skills daily.
Children will become:
- more self-aware
- able to self-regulate
- intrinsically motivated
- empathetic
- learn how to interact with adults and their peers
- assert their independence
- have a positive mental attitude, and self-esteem
- given the opportunity to grow in confidence every day
Children, and indeed all of us, need time to thoroughly explore our thoughts, feelings and relationships. Children develop a deep understanding of their world, the environment, and everything within it. Through imagination and exploration, their world opens up to endless possibilities.